By Kyle Charters
Asst. Sports Editor

Nearly 60 fans showed their support for the Purdue basketball team by greeting the Boilers at the Purdue Airport as they arrived home from Albuquerque, N.M., at about 1:40 a.m. Sunday.

Seven hours earlier, Purdue's march to the NCAA tournament's Final Four in Indianapolis fell just short as the Boilers lost 64-60 to the Wisconsin Badgers in the finals of the West Regional. The game was the last for Purdue seniors Brian Cardinal, Mike Robinson, Jaraan Cornell, Greg McQuay and Chad Kerkhof.

Despite the loss, Martin Weiser, a sophomore in the School of Management, was proud of the Boilers for their impressive run.

"Nobody expected them to get that far," said Weiser.

"I was just more upset for (Coach) Gene Keady," he said, "because I'd like to see him get his chance at a Final Four more than anything."

Several Purdue students got a ride to the airport by the Boilermaker Special. As the Boilers exited the plane, the train played the Purdue fight song while fans sang along.

Keady said he was glad to see the fans at such an early hour of the morning.

"I just want to thank the fans for their support this year and sorry we let them down," said Keady. "We'll just try to get better next year."

While Keady wanted to thank the fans, the fans wanted to congratulate the Boilers. Three Purdue students held signs that read, "Thanks for a Great Season" and "We'll miss you seniors. Thanks — Chad, Brian, Greg, Mike and Jaraan."

Kelly Haniford, a junior in the School of Agriculture, held one of the signs.

"I just wanted to show my support," she said. "Even though they lost, we're still supporting them."

Cardinal, who is recognized as being one of Purdue's hardest-working players ever, said the fans helped ease the Boilers' disappointing loss.

"It's awfully nice," said Cardinal. "It's too bad the game didn't go the way we had planned, but it's nice to see these guys out here supporting us and clapping and making us feel a little bit better."

Robinson said he wished he could have helped lead the Boilers to the Final Four.

"(But) win or lose, we're pretty much happy with the season," he said. "We basically played for the city of West Lafayette."